Solutions

How can we fight anthropological climate change, accommodate our growing population and maintain an effective transportation system?

Solutions: Buying Solar Panels

Planning for Reality has been accused of being in the payoff of “big oil”, until June 2014 it’s been in the payoff of no-one. In response Planning for Reality can now say that it is in the payoff of “big solar”. While trains in suburban areas and transit oriented development DO NOT pencil out as cost-effective solutions to saving the planet, solar does pass the math test. It is a genuinely cost-effective solution that meets two important criteria:

Saves you money

Saves the planet

What’s significant today is that solar can be leased at no up front cost – you simply pay your solar company as if they were your energy provider.If you produce excess energy during the day then your meter runs backwards and you can use it during the night. The same is true of longer periods – if you build up a credit during the summer you can use this during the winter.

Planning for Reality encourages you to contact these solar panel providers using these links:

Sun Power – PFRs quick take: A higher initial cost per kWh but a cost that’s locked in mean that SunPower provide the highest saving over 20 years. According to independent third party Frauenhofer tests they offer the most robust solar panels with the least power generation degradation.Contact:mark.chapman@sunpower.com415-686-3877 and let him know that you found out about Sun Power through Planning for Reality.

Transportation planning in the Bay Area is doubling-down on investing in transit, despite massive investments since the 1980s leading to a drop in per capita ridership. Why impose inconvenient solutions when the valley is already several steps ahead? Read more >>

Now is the appropriate time to re-examine how we can address climate change, increase affordable housing and improve transportation – and achieve these goals in the most effective way.Read more >>

It’s Time to Redefine “Sustainability”.

Planning for Reality provides a 21st century guide encouraging a healthy, skeptical and informed approach to planning decisions.

On this site you will find:
- a guide on common planning pitfalls for for councilors, planning commissioners and advisory committee members
- the tough questions to ask to understand if a project is genuinely "sustainable"
- a reference to rapidly changing transportation and land use legislation
- the latest news on "sustainable" transit oriented development and high density housing